Detachable handle for implements.



No. 797,638- PATENTED AUG. 22, 1905. J. L. THOMAS.

DBTAGHABLE HANDLE FOR IMPLEMENTS.

' APPLIOATION FILED MAR. 1, 1905.

I 1 WM UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES L. THOMAS, or WINLOOK, WASHING-TON.

DETACHABLE HANDLE FDR IMPLEMENT S.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 22, 1905.

Application filed March 1, 1905. Serial No. 247,897.

1'0 (film/c0177, it may concern.-

Be it known that I, JAMES L. THOMAS, a citi- Zen of the United States,residing at W inlock, in the county .of Lewis and State of W ashington,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Detachable Handlesfor Implements, of which the following is a specification, referencebeing had therein to the accompanying drawings.

The object of the invention is to provide improved and efficient meansfor detachably and interchangeably securing an implement to its handle.

The invention consists of the novel features and parts and combinationsthereof, as will be hereinafter explained, and pointed out in theclaims.

An embodiment of my invention is represented in the accompanyingdrawings, in which Figure 1 is a longitudinal View of the adjoining endsof a handle and tool with the coupling members shown in section, andFig. 2 is a perspective View of a garden implement shown detached fromits handle and constructed in accordance with the invention.

The reference-letter A designates a ferrule, which is provided at oneend with an external peripheral collar a and having sockets B and Uextending axially therein from opposite ends. The socket B is ofsuitable shape to receive the end of a handle-stick I), while the othersocket is formed polygonal in crosssection and tapering longitudinally.

E designates a tool-shank, which is provided intermediate its lengthwith screw-threads F, from which projects a tang Gr of correspondingshape to the socket G.

H is a sleeve-coupling, which is constructed with aninternally-screwthreaded or nut end I, adapted to register with thescrew portion of the shank and having at the opposite end aninwardly-directed flange K, which is en gaged over the saidferrule-collar, as shown.

In constructing the device the coupling part H is preferably madewithout the flange or having the metal rim extend uninterruptedly in alongitudinal direction, as indicated by broken lines 7:: in Fig. 1, andwhich is afterward turned inwardly to form the aforedescribed flange.The tool is connected to the handle by first inserting the end of thetang into the socket therefor, when by engaging the nut portion of thesleeve with the threaded portion of the shank and properly turning theformer the tang will be caused to be further drawn into and firmlyseated in the socket. A reverse turning of the sleeve will unscrew thesame from its engagement with the tool and permit the latters beingremoved from the handle.

The advantages of the invention reside, first, in a single handle beingavailable for individual use with any number of tools; second, in theinterfitting of the tool-handle with its socket in such manner as toinsure a rigid seating and yet permit of their ready disconnection, and,third, in the peculiar and reliable means of causing the tool-tang to bedrawn into and firmly retained in its socket.

The device is of inexpensive construction and useful in a great numberof applications. For example, a single handle provided with my inventioncould be employed with a number of garden implements, such rakes, hoes,shovels, hay-forks, &c.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secureby Letters Patent, is

1. As a new article of manufacture, an implement comprising a handle, aferrule for the handle, said ferrule provided with an in ternal socketand an external collar, a tool provided with a shank havingscrew-threads thereon and a terminal tang adapted to fit in said socket,and a coupling member provided at one end with an internal screw-threadadapted to engage with that of the tool-shauk and with aninwardly-directcd marginal flange adapted to be engaged by said collar.

2. In a device of the character described, the combination with a toolhaving a screwthread upon its shank and aterminal tapering tang, of aferrule provided with a tapering socket for the said tang and anexternal col lar, and a coupling-sleeve having an internal screw adaptedto register with the said screwthread of the shank and a flange adaptedto engage with the said collar, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JAMES L. THOMAS. l/Vitnesses:

T. S. Wns'r, GEORGE I. Bnoous.

